Page 5 (1/2)

Silence

"So you’re telling iven the gold stamp of approval because she paid some dude from a male escort service to let her boss hihtly

Murphy nodded

"Sothe master of your house" Sully snickered

"Layla assured nation as protection; she didn’t intend to use it besides to observe"

"That’s an even worse reason for bein’ here She’s a poseur," Ben said "She ain’t gonna get any real idea if she can handle this, even on a casual basis, if she can’t be honest with herself about what she is" For Christsake, she’d worn a freakin’ disguise to the club "I’ll bet you each a thousand bucks she’s submissive"

A bet no one took, because in six years, Ben hadn’t been wrong even one time

Cody pointed at Murphy "You knoe can’t let her in the club if she ain’t gonna play How the fuck did you ever agree to breaking that rule?"

"Let’s just say Layla has a helluva distraction technique and she asked at a…ah, a pivotal moment"

Sully and Cody shook their heads

"How hts is she here?" Ben asked Murphy

"Two Why?"

"That’ll be enough Get Layla to introduceme to admit her friend to the club as an experienced Domme has earned her a hefty consequence"

"Why do I have to tell her?" Ben asked

Murphy ets aith mouthy behavior around you, Bennett"

Layla sidled up to the bar "A Bombay Sapphire and tonic and a cherry Coke" Her eyes widened when she saw Ben adjusting a white bracelet on his wrist "Bennett? You’re changing your status?"

"Only temporarily so I can fix your mistake" He invaded her space and spoke softly "You are in big trouble, Layla"

"But why--"

"Don’t pretend you don’t knohy" He watched her gaze skate briefly to Angel’s table

She dropped her gaze to her hands "I’el to play with rin when he heard Layla mutter, "Shit She is so fucked"

"Not as fucked as you are, my pretty," Murphy warned her "You will do whatever Bennett demands to ensure your inexperienced friend doesn’t wind up in a situation we cannot control"

She iven her a da, Sir"

"Murphy will decide your punish your friend admitted to this private club under false pretenses," Ben told her

Layla shot Murphy a contrite look and he snorted "Puppy dog eyes ain’t gonna get you out of the doghouse, woot planned for our wannabe Domme?" Cody asked Ben

"Charm, teht" He lifted a brow at Layla to get her butt rabbed the drinks and flounced off

"I better go help Trace and Riley set up for tonight," Sully said, stepping away from the bar

"Make sure room four is saved for h the side door

Cody laughed "You sneaky son of a bitch You’ve picked a no-view roohty Bennett at a worin "Make no uarantee I’ll be the one in charge"

The first thing Ainsley noticed as Layla sashayed back was her strained expression "Is everything all right? Looked a little tense up at the bar"

"It was" Layla sank onto the barstool "See the buff guy with the dark blond hair?"

Ainsley nodded

"That’s Cody The bar owner He asked about you"